Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has defended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)as the Ol Kalou by-election continues, dismissing claims of political interference and saying President William Ruto has no role in determining the outcome of a constituency contest.
In an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Sossion said the people of Ol Kalou have the constitutional authority to choose their Member of Parliament and should be allowed to exercise their democratic right without interference from national political leaders.
“The voters of Ol Kalou are exercising their sovereign power by choosing their MP. Ruto has no time interfering in the affairs of a constituency (Ol Kalou). IEBC is a super machine capable of delivering free and fair elections,” Sossion said.
His remarks come hours before the counting of votes, which has attracted national attention amid competing claims over electoral credibility and the independence of Kenya’s electoral institutions.
In a statement addressed to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua called on the commission to ensure that the Ol Kalou election is free, fair and verifiable.
“I write to address you in my capacity as a leader in this country and in my civic duty as a responsible citizen. Take note that an election is more about the process than the outcome,” Gachagua said.
The party claimed that public confidence in the electoral commission had declined and claimed that some Kenyans view the IEBC as being aligned with President Ruto’s administration.
“Your Commission is on a record high on low trust and image. From the outset, Kenyans hold the view that your commission and you are an appendage and part of Mr. William Ruto,” Gachagua stated.
DCP further raised concerns over the conduct of the by-election, claiming possible delays in issuing accreditation badges for party agents, late opening of polling stations in opposition-leaning areas, issuance of double ballot papers to some voters, and the deployment of plainclothes security officers to intimidate voters and party representatives.
The IEBC has maintained that it is committed to conducting a credible election and has the mandate to oversee a transparent process in line with Kenya’s electoral laws.
Sossion, while defending the commission, urged political actors to respect the independence of the IEBC and allow Ol Kalou residents to make their own decision through the ballot.
